Toothbrush rugs
 

I have some older quilting cottons that I would like to use to make a toothbrush rug. I am looking for easy directions as I don't crochet. How easy is it? Thanks in advance for any advice.

I remember these and I need a new kitchen rug. I will follow this as I don't remember much about how they were made. Thanks for posting!

I have never made one but was thinking that I had seen a book on this recently.

i had to look them up... i remember them and would love to make at least one. a lot came up with a google search https://www.google.com/#q=how+to+make+a+Toothbrush+rugs . On one video, Aunt Philly says she makes one a day! wow,, that is fast!

I've made a rug using Aunt Philly's 'toothbrush' tool. Made it 20+ years ago and it just fabulous - still using it today. I highly recommend her patterns, tools etc. I also met her at a quilt show recently and she is a lovely lady.

http://www.auntphillys.com/

Jane

Well, my DH is very splashy. I just cut down a towel into squares and sewed 2 together to make little "mats" for his bathroom glass and soap dispenser. I would think you could do the same with the fabric. Maybe make tiny quilts with batting. It would be cute to do a decorative stitch around the edges. Pretty easy.

In the past I've crocheted the fabric strips into rugs. It's too hard on my arthritic hands now. But crocheting is pretty easy to do.

I need to show this to my neighbor. She buys old sheets at thrift stores and crochets rugs. Thanks for the links

There are several demo's and tutorials on Youtube. Here's one rather long one with a group:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8FBGeDqLtU

Edit: Aunt Philly's DVD gets good reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Aunt-Phillys-D...ws/B00409T3VE/
but her booklets get rather poor reviews. I am intrigued with this idea but, if I wanted to learn, I think I would order the tool and her DVD rather than the booklets.

Given the price of fabric this seems like a really expensive rug to make if it takes 10 yards of fabric with the fabric ripped length wise of the grain. Am I missing something here?

Yes me too. I met her at a show in Chicago a few years ago. The rugs are great wear like iron. I also make hot pads and placemats.

citruscountyquilter: you are correct! I use old sheets, fabric I don't like - a visit to the charity shops - I just prepare the fabric wrap it in a ball and keep adding to it.

Going to have to try the toothbrush rag rugs. I have some material I'm not crazy about but hate to throw away. Large eyed darning needles would work too.

I am waiting for a box of fabric with my Rag Rug instructions to come down to my new home. As I remember, it is quite simple with just doing a single crochet with a very larger wooden crochet hook.

Citruscountry quilter, I wouldn't be using any NEW fabric for a rug. Usually it is a way to recycle older fabrics that only heaven know why we bought the fabric ! :) Yes, fabric now is much too expensive to use. I have a ton of calicos and clearance Home dec fabric I bought with the employee discount at a chain fabric store called House of Fabric. Many quilters find fabric at garage sales and resale stores. My Great Aunt showed me my father's WWII uniform (wool) that she cut into strips and braid it into her Living room rug.

I have made a lot of them. Very relaxing work. I cannot sew by hand with a needle because of my hands, but I can use a toothbrush tool

If you want a rug that is as soft as a marshmallow--use a knit fabric. I had some new pink knit from the little kid days and cut in strips and it is the softest ever. An ex-large T-shirt could be cut in one long strip until you get to the under arm seam. Must find my tool and start cutting cotton fabrics to make another one.
Aunt Philly can make one a day because she created the method, not in my lifetime can I make one in a day.

My grandmother crocheted rugs out of fabric salvaged from shirts, slacks, dresses, whatever that were no longer in use. They lasted a long, long time with fairly rough use.

Thank you for sharing. I also plan to make a toothbrush rug.

toothbrush rugs
 

Hi,this idea has my creative mind buzzing,what width of srips do you tear please ? I think using old teeshirts would make nice soft fabric and as it rolls up I would need to cut fairy wide. Great forum this,keeps the old brain active !! Love Letty.

Thanks for the first link! I've had the tool for a long time but never made anything with it. NOW I know how to start it!

Nan

the part you are 'missing' is you use the scrap strips people often throw away---instead of throwing all those cut off salvages, strips of fabric you toss them into a basket (the basket fills up pretty fast if you sew/quilt a lot)
when the basket is full you start making a rug---the 10 yards statement is an idea of (area)
I know lots of people who make rugs- I've been making them for years- *besides quilting it is my favorite pass time*
and I have never purchased fabric specifically for a rug- I use up scraps---as does all the other people I know who are making them.

Cut your strips approx. 2" wide. I find this a good width to work with. I also use a filler fabric, just bringing it along the line of "crocheting" to make the rug fuller, and cut it 1 1/2 inches wide.

My Grandma used to make rugs like these, but she used 3 rat-tailed comb handles that were made into needles and made brades as she went. I still have one and they were beautiful. She cut up old clothes and sewed them into strips until she had large balls of fabric. One of my biggest regrets is that I never had her teach me how she done it.

Thank you for sharing the videos.

I am thinking it would be easier and perhaps quicker to use single crochet instead of a needle pulling the strip of fabric.

Would flannel work?

I have some flannel I bought for Rag Quilts several years ago. The fabric is very dark and dreary. It would make a good rug it put in front of the pet door to wipe feet.

I have an old twin sized duvet cover that has been repaired numerous times, I think it would work for the inner fabric.

I think I have found a project for today.

Thank you,

Sounds like the method would be similar to one using braid tools. The homemade needles probably serve the same function as the braiding tools (which turn the raw edges towards the center of the fabric strip). This video seems to show how to do it (just like braiding long hair):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8j6IbRaqUY

I met Aunt Philly at the Houston show and bought her video. It is great and I highly recommend it.

Well I've had my last rubberbacked rug go to to pieces in the wash machine.
I ordered a breast cancer pink tool/needle and Philly's DVD.

My cousin up by Seattle has taught these classes for years, adult ed classes through the local college,
she picks up flat sheets at thrift stores and garage sales, four to a student. They are really beautiful. The ones she does for herself she uses homespun so the design is equal on both sides.

I've got miles of inherited Jenny Beyer border stripe fabric, in blue, green, and orange. Totally totally ugly, just to look at it is depressing. Cut into strips and wadded I'll bet it will be lovely. I'll only cut a few strips to check though!

I've made them. It really does take 10 or more yards of fabric. Great way to use up ugly fabric. My kids pets loved them our dog loves the first one I made, really small just her size. Fun to do.

Always wanted to try this....glad to read everybody's responses!

Great idea. Doubt I will make any.
I use large yardage of ugly fabrics for quilt backs.